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Week
Ending August 13, 2006

Agricultural Summary

After a very hot start to the week, moderating temperatures later in
the week as well as rainfall in some parts of the State helped stabilize
row crop and pasture conditions. Topsoil moisture supplies
rate 39 percent very short, 34 percent short, 26 percent adequate, and
1 percent surplus, an increase of 9 points in adequate to surplus. The
three northern districts improved substantially in topsoil moisture. However,
the west-central, central, east-central, and southwest districts remain
nearly 100 percent short to very short. There were 5.9 days suitable
for fieldwork.

Field Crops Report

Ninety-three percent of the corn crop is in dough stage,
3 days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of normal. Corn in dent stage
is at 68 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of average.
Corn mature is at 16 percent, 2 days behind last year but 5 days ahead
of the 5-year average of 8 percent. Silage harvest is well under way,
while nearly all districts reported early maturing varieties will soon
be ready for grain harvest. The crop is rated 5 percent very poor, 14
percent poor, 34 percent fair, 41 percent good, and 6 percent excellent,
nearly the same as last week. This year’s 47 percent in good to
excellent compares to 30 percent last year at this time. Soybean
blooming is at 92 percent, even with last year but 5 days ahead of average.
Pod setting is at 71 percent, 1 day behind last year but 6 days ahead
of the 5-year average of 58 percent. Condition of the bean crop rates
7 percent very poor, 19 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 32 percent good,
and 5 percent excellent, an improvement of 2 points in good to excellent
over last week. This compares to 23 percent in good to excellent last
year. Reports indicate that rain over the past few days should help with
pod set and fill, especially in northern areas. Sorghum
heading has reached 92 percent, slightly ahead of last year and over 1
week ahead of normal. Forty-four percent is turning color, 3 days ahead
of last year and 1 week ahead of normal. Three percent of the crop has
reached maturity. Sorghum condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 9 percent
poor, 41 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 3 percent excellent, a decrease
of 9 points in good to excellent. Eighty-three percent of the rice
crop is headed, 1 day behind last year but 4 days ahead of average. Rice
condition improved slightly from last week to 2 percent poor, 11 percent
fair, 52 percent good, and 35 percent excellent. Cotton
setting bolls is 94 percent complete, slightly behind both last year and
average. Cotton opening bolls is at 6 percent, ahead of both last year
and normal by 5 days. Condition of the crop is 5 percent poor, 24 percent
fair, 63 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. The third cutting of alfalfa
is 81 percent harvested. The short crop is allowing harvest to progress
over two weeks ahead of both last year and normal.

Pasture & Livestock

Pasture condition is rated 37 percent very poor, 32
percent poor, 24 percent fair, and 7 percent good. In central and southern
areas, more head than normal have been sold off to thin herds, as the
pasture and water situation can no longer support larger numbers. An increasing
number of reports indicate severe shortages of livestock water, especially
in central and southwestern districts. A few heat-related cattle deaths
were reported in the same areas.

Weather Summary

Temperatures were above normal throughout the State.
Central and northwestern areas were 6 to 9 degrees above average, with
several counties recording highs at or above 100 degrees. Other areas
were generally 2 to 4 degrees above normal. Rainfall
averaged 0.84 inches for the week. The three northern districts received
the most, with the north-central at 1.48 inches, northwest at 1.39, and
northeast at 1.27. Several counties in those districts received over 3
inches, including Gentry with 4.82, Harrison with 4.76, Marion with 4.64,
and Mercer with 3.56. The west-central and central districts received
the least amounts, each at about one-third inch.